What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Planning position at Meruelo Group?
Title: Director of Planning
Reports to: President
Welcome to Herman Weissker, Inc. where we’ve been building the backbone of the West’s infrastructure since 1959! Headquartered in Riverside, CA, we’re a proudly minority-owned, family-oriented company with deep roots in utility engineering, underground construction, telecommunications, and pipeline services.
At HWI, we’re more than just a contractor, we’re a team of passionate problem-solvers, skilled builders, and committed professionals who believe in doing things the right way. We work with some of the biggest names in the industry including Southern California Edison, PG&E, SoCal Gas, AT&T, and Verizon and we’re trusted to deliver high-stakes projects that keep communities connected, powered, and safe.
About the Role:
The Director of Planning will be responsible for leading planning, design, and growth for MEI across SCE, SDG&E, and key utility clients. Modernize operations, expand services, and drive revenue in design-build and EPC, building on 65 years of expertise in utility planning and AutoCAD-based design.
Key Responsibilities:
² Own the end-to-end planning and design function for all SCE, SDG&E, and other utility/telecom customer programs — including distribution substation planning, new circuit planning, deteriorated pole replacement (transmission and distribution), overhead-to-underground conversions, underground civil and cable replacement, and 4kV cutover planning and design.
² Set design standards and quality controls compliant with SCE DDS/ESR/DUG/DOH/UGS, SDG&E construction standards, CPUC tariffs, and CPUC General Orders GO 95, GO 128, and GO 165.
² Oversee AutoCAD/AUD (Autodesk Utility Design), SPIDA Calc pole loading, and GIS workflows; standardize templates and packages to accelerate work-order cycle times.
² Manage civil base mapping, traffic control designs, permitting support, and AutoCAD drafting/survey services.
² Build and execute a multi-year BD plan for SCE Design Contractor Program, SDG&E design-build, LADWP, PG&E, Burbank Water & Power, Glendale Water & Power, and out-of-state customers in NV, AZ, and OR.
² Build customer relationships at SCE T&D Planning (Pomona, Rosemead, Alhambra), SDG&E Construction Services (San Diego), and other key utility decision-makers.
² Lead pursuit strategy, MSA renewals, RFP responses, and pricing for planning/design and design-build EPC scopes.
² Manage department P&L; deliver work-order cycle times that meet or beat CPUC mandates and SCE/SDG&E performance metrics.
² Build, mentor, and retain a unionized and non-union planner/designer workforce (IBEW Local 47/465 alignment where applicable).
² Partner with Tidwell construction operations to ensure constructability of all designs and seamless handoff to field crews.
² Maintain Tidwell's CPUC Supplier Clearinghouse MBE certification and align with CPUC General Order 156 supplier-diversity goals.
² Ensure 100% compliance with prevailing wage, certified payroll (DIR), and OSHA/Cal-OSHA standards on all public works planning work.
² Champion Tidwell's safety culture; integrate safety moments into all planning reviews; partner with the MEI EcoOnline rollout.
² Build the annual planning department budget; deliver monthly variance explanations and catch-back plans.
² Recommend capital investments in design technology (e.g., GIS upgrades, design automation, AI estimating tools).
² Report to the President monthly on revenue, backlog, win rate, cycle time, and pipeline.
Qualifications:
² 10 years progressive experience in electric utility distribution planning and design (overhead and underground).
² 5 years leading planning, design, or BD teams at a utility, design firm, or utility contractor.
² Demonstrated direct experience with SCE and/or SDG&E planning standards (DDS/ESR/DUG/DOH/UGS/GO 95/GO 128).
² Fluent in AutoCAD/AUD, SPIDA Calc, GIS, Microsoft Project, and Power BI.
² Proven business development track record — MSA renewals, RFP wins, customer relationship management.
² Knowledge of CPUC GO 156 supplier diversity, prevailing wage / certified payroll (DIR), and union labor.
² Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
² Valid CA driver's license; ability to travel 25–40%.
Preferred Qualifications
² P.E. (California) license.
² MBA or equivalent business leadership credential.
² Prior experience inside SCE Distribution/Technical Planning or SDG&E Construction Services.
² Spectrum / Viewpoint Vista construction ERP fluency.
² Bilingual (English/Spanish).
² Experience in design-build / EPC delivery.
At Meruelo, we believe that diverse teams drive innovation and better business outcomes. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work. We actively encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.